Panic buying as floods threaten inner Bangkok

By Lindsay Murdoch, Bangkok

As water began to gush into some outer areas of Bangkok, Thailand's prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra conceded it had now become impossible to protect all parts of the city of 12 million people.

"We cannot hold the water back forever," Ms Yingluck told reporters, adding the government would choose which parts of the city to allow water through to minimise the impact.

"The longer we block the water the higher it gets," she said.

"We need areas that water can be drained through so the water can flow out to sea."

Ms Yingluck's comments promoted some panic buying of essential items a week after city residents had been told they would probably escape the flooding that has swamped one third of the country, killing 315 people.

The armed forces, municipal workers and thousands of volunteers have been frantically working for days to protect the city with sandbagged embankments and the dredging of canals to allow water to flow more quickly to the sea.

Bangkok accounts for more than 40 percent of Thailand’s economic output.

The floods have already swamped major industrial suburbs north of the city, crippling hundreds of export-orientated businesses.

Earlier Ms Yingluck, a political novice, fought back tears as she acknowledged the crisis was overwhelming her two month old administration.

"We've been doing everything we can but this is a national crisis. On our own we can't get it done," she said.

"We need unity from every side and we must set politics aside."

The government has not released evacuation plans for Bangkok which was built around a network of centuries old canals and the Chao Phraya River.

Areas at risk include tourist sites along the river where there are dozens of high rise hotels, raising the possibility that foreigners could be trapped by flooding.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra has warned residents in seven districts in north and eastern Bangkok to prepare to evacuate.

The government says half a million of people are now left without work across the country.

Bangkok's main airport is still operating after its flood defences were reinforced.